Free The Record of the Saints Caliber by M. David White Page A

seemed to take notice of the withered earth beneath Celacia’s feet and humphed . He kicked his horse hard and forced it forward.
    “I am the Exalted Golden Cockerel, Lord of Dawn’s Sun, who is at once glorious and profound to you,” he proclaimed quite plainly from atop his steed. The sun sparkled and reflected from the hundreds of gemstones embedded within his golden armor and he glittered obnoxiously before Celacia. The horse stepped nervously from right to left, causing Golden Cockerel to scowl. He yanked hard on the jewel-encrusted reins and continued.
    “I am accompanied by King Armigon’s Southern Forces and my personal Saint, Saint Ramiel of the Hammer, who is the most powerful Saint in all Dimethica, and most likely, all the kingdoms.” Even as he spoke so coolly and smugly the horse backed a few paces, shaking its head stubbornly. At this point Golden Cockerel was getting visibly upset with his horse and he kicked it hard, trying to get it to confront Celacia.
    Celacia stared at him coolly. She took a step back and that seemed to help put the beast at ease.
    Golden Cockerel the Exalted looked at her suspiciously from beneath his crested helmet and glittering face, then lifted his chin high. “Bow to me. Then state your name, as plainly as is fitting for a mere Saint, and tell me where you are from and what business you have here in my glorious kingdom with these petty soldiers of yours. Then I, the glorious and Exalted Golden Cockerel, Lord of Dawn’s Sun, shall decide your fate. And perhaps, if I so fancy, I shall take you upon my servitude.”
    Celacia screwed her lips up and took a step forward, causing Golden Cockerel’s horse to kick up slightly and back away nervously, putting him back in the awkward position of trying to look authoritative and smug atop his anxious steed. Then she said, “Oh, I’m just picking up a little something for myself. It was just taking up space in your volcano, and I didn’t think you’d mind if we helped ourselves to it.”
    Golden Cockerel dug his armored heels into his horse’s sides and jerked at the reins as he scowled down at Celacia. “From what kingdom are you and your poorly outfitted soldiers?”
    “Nowhere in particular,” said Celacia.
    Golden Cockerel seemed to take great offense to her answer and tone of voice. He humphed and composed himself, resting his nose back upon some unseen cloud. “Certainly, you are from a kingdom far less glorious than Dimethica. By your ragtag lot, I assume Jerusa. Certainly you have no claim to anything within the glorious and exalted lands of King Armigon.” He clapped twice quickly. “I command you to put all your soldiers to the sword at once. Then you shall come before me for your own punishment.”
    Celacia’s brow furled. “Are you for real?” She looked past him, to Saint Ramiel. “Is he for real?”
    Ramiel just stared coldly at her and spit on the ground.
    Golden Cockerel looked down at Celacia from his horse, his golden face glittering in the sun. “I take pity on you that such profundity as myself is lost within your realm of reality. Be that as it may, I command you to put your soldiers to the sword.”
    “No.” chirped Celacia.
    Golden Cockerel the Exalted had obviously never heard such a brazen insult as the word ‘no’ in his life. His head popped up and his mouth hung agape.
    Celacia turned to leave.
    “How dare you turn your back to the Lord of Dawn’s Sun!” he screamed, almost shrieking. “Did I not tell you that I am the glorious and Exalted Golden Cockerel?” He craned his neck around to his four lieutenants and pointed to three of them in quick succession and then clapped his hands twice. “You three. Seize her at once!”
    Immediately the three armored horsemen at his side dismounted and rushed forward, hiking up their giant bolt-throwers. Celacia stopped but did not turn around. The first of the lieutenants dashed ahead and grabbed her, but no sooner had his gauntleted hand landed